The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-05-11
PICKPOCKETS.
MEN AND WOMEN THIEVES IN
BIG DRY GOODS STORES.
How They are Watched by Detec-
tiyes Of Both Sexes-MethOds
ofOperation of the Light
Fingered Individuals.

"Many people appear to labor under
che impression that we employ private
detectives simply for the purpose of
pouncing upon the unsuspecting who may
carelessly pick up an article without buy
ing it," remarked a partner in one of the
largest retail stores few days ago.
Nothing could be further from our pur-
pose than such an idea," he continued.
'sWe employ detectives of both sexes
solely to protect our patrons from the
thieves and pickpockets who are always
to be found where large number of
people congregate. As for those who
steal from US, we are usually satisfied to
recover our property again. We have
encountered so much opposition and so
little success in endeavoring to prosecute
those who have been caught in the act
that we do not feel disposed to make any
further efforts in that direction. A
peculiar protection seems to hedge the
many so-called kleptomaniacs, and our
experience has proved it to be exceeding
ly potential in preventing their punish
ment. Our main idea is to protect our
customers from thefE.
"There goes our female detective" he
said after moments pause, as middle
aged and plainly dressed woman passed
by; 'she may be able to tell you more
about these things than can."
He introduced the reporter to an intel
ligent looking woman, whose general
appearance was in no wise different from
the thousands of female purchasers who
visit the store in the course of day.
Chow long have you been engaged in
this business2" asked the reporter.
"This is my fifth season." she replied.
"Yes, nearly all the clerks here know me.
They did not for many months, but see
ing me here constantly day after day
naturally aroused their curiosity. My
duty is to walk about the store during
the day and keep an eye, or rather my
eyes, on the outlook for thieves who may
attempt to rob customers. Yes, arrests
are of frequent occurrence. They are not,
however, made public, as we are COM
pclled to be solicitous about the feelings
Of our customers who shrink from having
their names in print, even when they are
Il sufferers.
"How do you manage to distinguish
the dishonest from others"
"Well, as o rule they evidently fear
suspicion. I notice that they are con-
tinually looking over their shoulders as If
they feared some one was following or
watching them. Both men and women
thieves come in here. The former never
remain more than few minutes. They
come in at one door and Immediately
make break for some crowded portion
of the store-around the soda water stand
for instance. Then they walk out rapidly
through some other door. They usually
travel alone but the women as a general
thing come in pairs. They are almost al
ways richly dressed, They remain long
time and walk about pretending to be
purchasing"
"How do they operate9"
"The men arc decidly more expert than
the women, and will walk in and pick
pocket and depart again almost before
you arc aware of their presence. They
pass through the crowds more readily
than the females, and in that respect have
a great advantage. The latter will step
up to counter where they see some one
purchasing and one will push the GUS
toner, apparently unintentionally. The
purchaser naturally turns in that direc-
tion and while she is receiving an apology
the pal on the other side has deftly opened
her satchel and picked out the purse. If
it contains nothing of value she will call
the lsdy's attention to the open satchel
with Pardon me, Ma'am, but your satchel
is open.'"
"Do the same thieves come fire.
quently ="
"Yes, some of them. There's one, q
very tall, handsomely dressed woman,
who comes in here as often as three times
a week. She is we'll known, but thus far
has escaped detection, and there is no
way of keeping her out. There are
lots of people who jump at the slightest
pretext for beginning a libel suit, espc-
cially where the accused party happens to
be very wealthy, We are subject to so
many annoyauces and to such unwar-
ranted and bitter attacks that we are COM
PEELED to be more than ordinary careful.
We are so surrounded that everything
demands suppression rather than pub
lication of facts"
"po you have many thefts OF store
goods2"
"a great many, but they do not oc-
cupy our attention so closely as the
others. They are usually committed by
elderly women who come in and after
purchasing some trihe, walk about and
purloin additional articles and wrap them
up in the same paper with the goods pur
chased. We never make any fuss when
we catch them, but conduct them quietly
tc a private apartment where they are
requested to give up the stolen property,
snd dismissed with caution against
similar occurrence in the future. We had
case O short time ago where we'll
dressed woman was caught stealing glass
ware, chimneys, wine glasses and the
like. We took her quietly to the private
room, where she vehemently denied the
accusation. Even while she was talking
a number of articles dropped from be-
meath her dress and Uttered the floor with
fragments. When we dismissed her she
went away, threatening US with libel
suit. Whenever woman discovers that
she has been robbed, her first impulse is
to accuse some poorly-drcssd woman of
the theft. This frequently occurs. In
more than nine cases out of ten the thief
is we'll dressed, and it is rarely that we
have any trouble with the plainly attired
customers. 1 suppose it is an utter i'm
possibility to entirely stop stealing in
large stores. New thieves crop out every
day, and so long as they find crowds in
which to ply their nefarious trade just so
lo.. Lii thar Annk To the MANY great re-